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DECEMBER 2018
This past Thanksgiving, Nicole and I were super excited to participate in the Adopt-a-Marine programwith the Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. This program gives local families the opportunity to invite service members into their homes to share Thanksgiving dinner. We live right near Camp Pendleton now, and this was our first year as a host family. Last year, we didn’t learn about the program until it was too late, but our family did go out and greet the bus that dropped the service members off. I remember thinking how nervous they looked, like deer in the headlights. A lot of these young people are away from home for the first time, and it can be hard to spend the holidays far from your friends and family. Thanksgiving is really important to Nicole and I. Growing up, both of us loved Thanksgiving and getting to spend time with our families. As we got ready to celebrate our first Thanksgiving in our new house, we couldn’t think of a better way to do it than by opening our doors to those who need a little extra comfort. I always feel awkward when I meet a service member and thank them for their service. It feels so inadequate. Words can never be enough to truly thank someone for what they are sacrificing in the name of our country. It takes a great deal of courage to enlist and put everything on the line to serve our country. My grandfather was a fighter pilot in the Marines and later served as a judge advocate general (JAG) lawyer for many years. So my dad and aunts spent their childhoods moving to different military bases around the country. I grew up going to the Marine base in Orange County and hearing vets tell their stories. I heard tales of crazy heroics told as if they were no big deal, because those were the kinds of things these people did every day. Participating in this program felt like a genuine way to show our thanks and give back to this community. For Finn and Harlow, this was a really important learning experience. Nicole and I wanted to show our kids the importance of respecting service members and the value of practicing simple acts of kindness. The world can always use more kindness, especially right now. We want Finn and Harlow to see that SIMPLE ACTS OF KINDNESS WHAT IT MEANS TO OPEN YOUR HEART
Words can never be enough to truly thank someone for what they are sacrificing in the name of our country.
Below: Dropping the boys off to head back to base at 6 p.m.
even just cooking a meal for someone on Thanksgiving can bring so much joy into a person’s heart. three months of boot camp and were TIRED! Finn said, “Everyone, be quiet, please! Our Marines are finally sleeping!” Above: They finally fell asleep on our sofa an hour before they had to leave. They just finished
I felt like the Adopt-a-Marine programwas the real-life embodiment of the ideals behind the story of the first Thanksgiving we’re all told. Thanksgiving is meant to be more than a time to list off the things we are grateful for. It’s a time to put that gratitude into action and share our blessings with others.
This was a humbling experience and something we would like to do again in the future. It’s a simple thing to open your doors and your heart to a stranger, but it can do so much good in the world.
–Case Barnett
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We believe that small businesses can have a positive impact on local communities and the wider world. A successful charity campaign can make a world of difference for people in need, especially over the holidays. But not all charitable organizations are created equal, and supporting the wrong organization can do more harm than good. Here are some tips on finding the best fit for your business. ALIGN MISSIONS When narrowing down the thousands of local and national charities you have to choose from, comparing the mission statements of these organizations to your own is a great place to start. Charities that align with or complement your own goals as a business are natural partners. Still, while matching big-picture goals is a great start, you also need to make sure your chosen organization aligns with the heart and soul of your business: your employees and customers. FIND HUMAN CONNECTIONS The most powerful charity work your business can support is a cause that stems from the needs and passions of people connected to your work. Maybe a member of your team lives with a disability or a significant number of your customers face social, cultural, or economic challenges. Putting time, money, and effort into supporting a reputable organization that helps the people and communities connected to your business is one of the best ways to show you care. CHOOSING THE RIGHT CHARITY How Your Business Can Give Back the Right Way
CHECK CREDENTIALS Good intentions only go so far. To really make your charity efforts count and ensure your donations are used appropriately, you need to do some research. Thankfully, organizations like the Better Business Bureau, Charity Watch, and GuideStar.org keep data on IRS-registered charities, making it easy to see which groups are reputable. In general, you should look for organizations that have a great track record of transparency and make all of their financial information readily available. REMEMBER THE ‘WHY’ If you’re just looking for a tax write-off or good publicity, charity efforts are going to feel hollow and frustrating. More than anything, philanthropy should involve a cause your business is passionate about — no matter how big or small. Taking the time to remind yourself why you’ve chosen to support a particular cause will keep you from losing sight of what giving back is all about.
CASE STUDY
about it but failing to avoid it. The liability issues were complicated because of the covenants, codes, and restrictions (the CC&Rs, or the governing documents for the homeowner’s association) and the HOA’s attempts to shift responsibility to the homeowners. CC&Rs give HOAs the ability to make their own laws and distribute responsibilities. A close inspection of these governing documents is essential to suing any homeowner’s association. Four of the five defendants acknowledged their safety failings before trial. One defendant did not. A jury dropped the hammer on the remaining defendant. At the end of the trial, the combined defendants were forced to pay $4.3 million to the plaintiff.
Dr. RB lived in an upscale Orange County neighborhood paying over $700 a month in homeowner’s association (HOA) dues. A water meter box was continually broken in front of his home. Dr. RB complained to his homeowner’s association about the broken water meter box on multiple occasions. After a day at work, Dr. RB returned in the evening and parked his car in the driveway. He exited the car to get his mail. He stepped on the broken water meter cover and fell, suffering serious injuries, including a traumatic brain injury and severed tendons in his hand.
The defendants repeatedly passed responsibility among each other and pointed the finger back at Dr. RB for not fixing it himself, and for knowing
This publication is intended to educate the general public about personal injury and elder abuse. It is not intended to be legal advice. Every case is different.
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The Importance of Carrying the Right Amount of Car Insurance HOW MUCH IS ENOUGH? SEARCH Word
a claim and possibly even a lawsuit against you. Liability coverage will pay for the claim and the costs of your defense attorney. 3. Medical Payments Coverage Commonly referred to as “medpay,” medical payments coverage in your car insurance policy is a sort of health insurance policy that helps pay medical bills after an accident. Medpay really comes in handy if you don’t have health insurance, you have high deductibles or copays, or you have a health insurance policy that requires subrogation (reimbursement). Even if you have great health insurance already, adding medpay to your policy can make a huge difference. Medpay can help preserve your credit and keep bills from going to collections. How much is enough when it comes to car insurance? This is a personal decision, but our advice is to buy as much liability and uninsured/ underinsured motorist coverage as you can afford. Even one night in the hospital can add up fast. Remember, if you join our VIP club, you will receive a free auto insurance policy review. Just give us a call at 949-565-2993 or email us at offer@casebarnettlaw.com .
If you’re in an accident, you want to believe that your car insurance will take care of everything. That’s why you pay for it every month, right? Unfortunately, most people get on the road with policies that are severely lacking, and they only learn about the gaps in their coverage after suffering a horrible accident.
Here are three areas you don’t
want to skimp
on in your car insurance policy.
Candle Cookies Decorations Family Gratitude Holidays
Snowflake Snowman Snowstorm Tradition Travel Winter
1. Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage is often the least understood part of a car insurance policy, but it can be the most important coverage you get for your family. In California, it is illegal to drive without car insurance, but many people do. Likewise, many people let their policies lapse without realizing it or only carry the minimum amount of coverage required. Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage will protect you if you are in an accident caused by someone who does not have sufficient insurance to cover your injuries. If you look at our “Case Closed” section (below) this month, you’ll see cases settled for the other driver’s policy limit. This means we cannot go after the insurance company for more money, even if our client suffered greater damages. However, if our clients had had uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage at the time of the accident, we would have been able to tap into that policy to cover the remaining portion of their damages. 2. Liability Coverage This coverage protects you and your family if you cause an accident that hurts someone else. If this happens, you will have
SEARCH Word 1 bone-in prime rib (6–7 pounds) 8 cloves garlic, thinly sliced Holiday Roast Prime Rib Inspired by Food Network Ingredients
• • • • • •
2 cups red wine 4 cups beef stock
1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
Directions
Candle Cookies Decorations Family Gratitude Holidays drippings from roast over 2 burners on high. Add wine and scrape pan as liquid reduces. Add beef stock an cook until reduced by half. Finally, sprinkle in thyme. 6. Slice roast and serve topped with au jus. Snowflake Snowman Snowstorm Tradition Travel Winter 1. 30 minutes before cooking, remove roast from fridge and let sit until it reaches room temperature. 2. Heat oven to 350 F. 3. Make small slits in prime rib and stuff with slices of garlic. Liberally season with salt and pepper. 4. Place a rack inside a roasting pan and roast prime rib for 2 hours, until medium-rare. 5. To make au jus, place roasting pan with
September Auto v. Auto Accident: $225,000.00
October Domestic Abuse Case: $350,000.00 Elder Abuse/Neglect at an Assisted Living Facility: $350,000.00 Child Injury/Negligent Supervision at School: $45,000.00
Auto v. Auto Accident: $50,000.00 policy limit case Auto v. Auto Accident: $37,000.00 policy limit case Auto v. Auto Accident: $30,000.00 policy limit case Auto v. Auto Accident: $30,000.00 policy limit case Auto v. Auto Accident: $15,000.00 policy limit case
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Page 1 A New Tradition
Page 2 Choosing the Right Charity
Case Study
Page 3 Can You Have Too Much Car Insurance?
Case Closed!
Word Search
Page 4 Holiday Decoration Tours
CHRISTMAS TOURS G E T AWAY A N D B E F E S T I V E T H I S H O L I D AY S E A S O N
a Western-themed holiday pulled right out of a John Wayne classic. For holiday admirers looking for a unique spin, Jackson has you covered.
There’s nothing quite like the magical lights of the holiday season, and some destinations in the U.S. have perfected the craft of holiday decoration. If you’re looking to get away this December and still engage in seasonal festivities, add one of these places to your must-visit list. New York City’s Rockefeller Center New York City is an iconic location for Christmastime. The scene is like a Hallmark card: Ice-skating lovers whiz past miles of twinkling lights underneath an exceptionally tall and amply decorated tree. The tree is specially selected by Rockefeller Center’s landscaping crews, who scout out trees years in advance. It remains lit from November to early January, so you have plenty of time to check it out. Ranch Christmas in Jackson, Wyoming Jackson, Wyoming, takes its frontier culture to the next level during the Christmas season. All year, the city proudly displays four elk antler arches, but around the holidays, they are lit up with white string lights and flanked by snow. The Christmas decorations and lights surrounding the archway make for
Yearly Yuletide in Santa Claus, Indiana This one’s for the Christmas lover. If you can’t make it out to Santa Claus, Indiana, this holiday season, you can still celebrate Christmas in this tiny Midwestern town in January, June, or even October. Embracing its unique name, the town boasts a museum, holiday shopping center, and a Christmas theme park. In a moving tribute, the town’s residents also write responses to children’s letters to Kris Kringle himself. It’s impossible to avoid holiday cheer in this town. Disney World’s Christmas Magic What better place to celebrate the most magical time of the year than in the most magical place on Earth? Walt Disney World’s halls are decked to the max with a parade, gingerbread homes, strings of lights, and festive parties. Plus, costs to visit Disney World can be cheaper during the Christmas season, so keep an eye out for a vacation steal.
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